'Penalise' sounds a bit like wordplay? (6)
I believe the answer is:
punish
'penalise' is the definition.
(I know that penalise can be written as punish)
'sounds a bit like wordplay?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'bit' could be 'i' (resembles 1, a binary digit or bit) and 'i' is located in the answer.
'wordplay?' could be 'puns' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'puns' is found in the leftover letters.
A single letter 'h' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for punish that I've seen before include "Inflict a penalty upon" , "Chastise" , "Discipline" , "Like wordplay in speech" , "Treat harshly or severely" .)